The seven-day survey, by comparison website TrackCompare.co.uk, began last week shortly after the Government announced its proposals.
Asked Should the maximum fine for speeding on the motorway be increased to £10,000?, 22% said yes, 78% said no.
Kjell Anderton, a TrackCompare director, said: ‘This poll attracted far more comments than any we’ve held over the past year.
‘Those against had strong views, including “Just another money-making scheme,” “They can handle high speeds on the motorway in Germany, it shouldn't be any different here,” “It’s over the top,” ‘Way too high at £10k,” “Not happy about it as we drive all day,” “Most ridiculous thing I’ve heard,” “Eighty miles per hour and you get a £10,000 fine. No way,” “What will the money be used for?, They don’t really care about people speeding and people’s safety, they just care about themselves.”
‘People in favour were just as forthright. Their comments included “I think it will stop all the terrible accidents and deaths,” “I love the idea. Hopefully, it will reduce accidents and decrease insurance premiums,” “I agree with harsher sentences for bad drivers,” “The only way to control people. If you fine them severely, they will control their driving,” “It would encourage better driving,” and “They should be higher (fines) on the motorway.”’
Other opinions included:
- ‘Not so much speeding, but dangerous driving and parking should be increased. They need to crack down on things like this.’
- ‘I understand they want people to stop offending but I can see this making it all worse. People will refuse to pay, which will lead to all sorts of other trouble.’
- ‘I wonder what the statistics are regarding the amount of accidents on motorways through speeding. I don't think speeding is necessarily the issue. Tailgating on the other hand? Way more dangerous in my opinion.’
- ‘Indifferent. My guys don’t really use motorways.’
- ‘Let’s do it and see what happens.’
- ‘Obviously, I don't agree with speeding so I can see where they're coming from, but £10,000 is ridiculous. Where do they draw the line?’
- ‘Not sure: a tough increase, but we shouldn't speed at end of the day.’
- ‘Some people at the business agree with it.’
- ‘I heard that it is means tested so the fine will never be more than a week’s wages. So where's the problem?’
Under the Government’s planned reforms, maximum fines for using a mobile phone while driving, dangerous parking or failure to comply with a traffic sign will also quadruple, increasing from £1,000 to £4,000. In addition, the £5,000 limit on fines that can be imposed by magistrates for offences such as driving without insurance or careless driving will be scrapped.
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Under the Government’s planned reforms, maximum fines for using a mobile phone while driving, dangerous parking or failure to comply with a traffic sign will also quadruple, increasing from £1,000 to £4,000. In addition, the £5,000 limit on fines that can be imposed by magistrates for offences such as driving without insurance or careless driving will be scrapped
